Fujifilm X-E4 // A Cheaper Leica Q2 And An Under Rated X100V 

After being a Sony shooter for the past 10 years I decided to switch to Fuji. My first Fujifilm camera was X-E1 which I purchased in 2021. And it became my carry everyday camera. And I loved it! The idea behind X-E series is just brilliant - it’s compact, lightweight, interchangeable lens option, built-in flash. Not to forget EVF! And the colours!!! ❤

People talk about physical dials constantly, but most people also leave their camera in A, S, P, or even in M they have auto ISO set to basically make even manual automated after you pick your desired shutter speed/aperture for the situation/subject. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of auto ISO; on digital I usually set mine to 400, aperture to f/4, find solid shutter speed for the situation ranging from 1 over 1.25-1.5 times the focal length to faster values for moving subjects, then use aperture to quickly adjust for exposure up or down a few clicks. Even my routine that's essentially all manual can be handled with a single dial and aperture ring, two dials, or even just a single dial with dual functionality. I always got a kick out of the people at events I went to preaching the manual dials only for me to look over and see pretty much all but one set to A, the last set to a static value like aperture, and a dial as/for exposure comp being the only one really used that much. Not that I dislike the aesthetic, I wish so much that Panasonic would release a budget S5 with an updated GX8 body using a modified top plate from an LX100 that has physical dials for settings. Hell, I'd be happy if they managed to cram the G9's image processor/sensor into a GX85 body with the LX100 top plate and a fixed 20mm (40mm equiv) 1.7 lens with aperture ring/focusing guide and zoom lever/shutter button converted to a dial shutter. That setup would provide serious competition against the X100 series and Leica's offerings.

My x-t30 II is the exact same camera and a tiny beast with the addition of a pop-up flash. I rented the x-e4 and although subjective, I found much more satisfaction from the x-t30 II. If you have smaller hands and a love for street, consider this as an option.

I have an fuji xe3 brought almost 3years and an half ago and is just amazing! Totally in love with it also today

Great vid! Curious - which skin did you go with, and how did you get the complete blackout over the branding top front & top right?

With the x100v, you are stuck with a quiet leaf shutter and built-in ND filter. A Beautiful 23mm lens and a small body.

This is the first video of yours I have seen and I came to write you: you have an amazing voice and great on-point delivery. Keep up the work. Gotta try Fuji

Gosh feels so familiar ... I've gone pro recently and use mainly my A7IV... The only issue i lost my passion of taking everyday pictures with it ( even tho I dreamt of having a FF cam for so long 😅) definitely want a simple , efficient camera for EDC . Looks really great too . Shortages are crazy tho

I always recommend the voigtlander 21mm f/4 Leica m mount with an adapter of course. Tiny lens, great focal length for zone focusing.

XE4 ftw, I also got it skinned with an alphagvrd black camo. i run it with the 18 1.4 and a 10% cinebloom filter.

I’ve been watching your videos for a couple of years now and since I’m into photography myself - I enjoyed this one a lot! How about a POV Photography video in the near future?

I went with canon m50 for the small everyday camera. It’s great to.

At the moment I carry a Sony A7iii with a 35mm lens. I'm not a fan of switching lens outside, but with the crop sensor mode I can get 52mm also.

Thank you for this video!! I've been debating between the X-T4, X100V, and the X-E4. I had a Sony a7iii for years but Ive been wanting something more compact and just like you said, I want to feel like I'm back in highschool shooting on my AE1. Definetley going for the X-E4 over the X100V considering you can swap out lenses. Thanks again!

Have to ask, why your skin covers the XE4 logo? It looks awesome. The official page show all skins with cutouts for all the letters and logos.

Great camera indeed. The only thing about xe4 that irks me is the tiny evf. I wear glasses and it’s painfully small. However, it’s incredibly versatile.

Nice to hear your sharing, your info give most us to consider choose right camera for daily photographer, thanks man

I picked the 7AC for my always with me camera, but might be eyeing a Fuji soon, just to compare and alternate.

Totally agree. I had xe4 and lovin it. ✌️

Great video, I'm definitely going to check out the X-E4. I'm in the market to make the film/digital jump. Oh, and you sound like Owen Wilson at times in the video. thats a good thing. Funny.

Do you think the weather seal is an issue when working in environments where there’s dust like shooting woodworkers? Thanks

I bought a silver one but it ended up in full studio production so I might buy a black one and do a 'steath conversion' like yours! We also need a new 'pancake' 18mm f2 from Fuji ready for the new X-E5 with the 40MP sensor and IBIS.

Love this video. I use mine as a cheap Q2 Mono. The Sony is for the big shoots; the Fuji is for me. Thanks for the skin recommendation.

Thanks for sharing your experience!❤ Peace out!

Great video, thank you! I also have an XE4, what a powerful good looking camera that is! 🔥😍 Which skin version did you choose? Because you have a version where the logo is hidden on the front. How did you manage that? 😅😮

Nice vid. Considering swapping to this from my big, bulky Panasonic Lumix S1. The full frame, internal stabilizer etc is nice but it's a pain to carry around and it has affected my photography negatively. I just don't bring my camera.. I want to return to a smaller form factor. X-E4 seems like a great candidate.

One of the if not the best video about this camera 🤝 Which Alphagvard protector do you use btw? It looks super clean, all the ones on their site seems to have cutout for the Fujifilm and X-E4 logo on the top and the front, but yours doesn't has it. That's why I'm curious.

What’s your bag of choice when bringing this camera around and with what lens?

You know a camera is good when the used price stays strong. XE-4 with 27mm or 33mm is a great combo.

Hi! I love the look of your camera after installing the skin, I wonder which model of skin did you get, I love that you cannot see the model and brand and it’s kind of like and incognito look! Great Video!

XE4 is my daily one too (XT4 is my main camera), I can’t explain the mojo this stuff has. It is amazing. I use it with the XF 35 1.4 and with a Mitakon 35 0,95. Sometimes the XF 10-24 which is a beast. It will be my daily camera until it breaks down.

Hi! Great video! Is the skin covering the xe4 logo as well?

I love the 35mm 1.4 (with the awesome hood) on my E4. But also have the 27. How is the skin on the E4 exactly called? Nice video btw.

Many thanks sir. For sharing your knowledge. I'm enriched.

Thank you for this fantastic video. My camera is a Fuji XE-3 with 35mm. The photo on 9:25 with the F-150 looks so good like portra. This is classic chrome. What other settings did you use? 🙏 Thank you

Great straight forward info! Really want in on the fuji world !

Looks like you’re a left eye shooter. How’s the range finder style working for you?

Does the alphagvrd cover the logo xe-4 logo as well? It looks so sleek and discreet 👌🏻

Nice video. Do you have a chance to use XE-4 with manual lens? How is Fuji peaking clear, fast and reliable for manual focus? I use manual lens with Sony and its peaking system is terrible. I would appreciate for your advice. Thanks.

What color option did you choose for the AlphaGvrd? I went to their website and I can't see one that looks like yours.

Ok how’d you do it??? I’ve never seen the Fuji logos blacked out so well!

Best looking xe4 I've seen! Great video!

Hi, great video 😊. What lens hood is that for the 27??

Love your video man! I'm deciding to get the xe4 as my first camera. Can you do a review about that 27 f2.8? Been thinking whether to get it or the 35 f2 and pair with the 18 f2. New subscriber here

What length of strap do you recommend for a XE4? I was looking at the website and they have 3 different lengths

Loved it when they didn't cripple it spec wise, but it feels a bit cheap in hands, I use it only for videos personally😥

i am a XT1 and XT2 user energized in the same manner you have expressed. thanks for the effort and the sharing. my question: Lightroom or Capture One? maybe a YT vid about your post=process workflow. thumbs up.

great video comparing the two cameras! and beautiful pics too

Loved the video Curran! Can't wait to buy mine :)

does the AlphaGvrd Skin come with the xe4 and fujifilm logo cut out? Is yours a custom order?

Hi Mark, good video. 00:28 could you tell what's the brand and model of your sling bag? Really cool. Thank you

The XE4 is the XE4, not a cheap Leica. In connection with the 27mm pancake it’s perfect every day camera while still giving the option to throw another lens on if required. Leicas are no more than lifestyle objects, not being worth more than 25% of their price (I know, it might hurt some individuals).

also in the last 30 seconds of the video , an overlay with links blocking photoparts off lol

Could you please write the name of the filter you use ? Thanks !

Ive had several newer Fujis and all the prines and dropped all when I got the Leica Q. Its better for me for so many reasons. Still trying to sell rest of my Fuji kit as it hasnt been touched in a year. Graphite xpro2.

what skin r u using

How is the AF compared to Sony ?

Hey man what new balance shoe is that?

Since u like 28mm, Fuji does offer conversion lens for X100 series to change 35mm to 28mm or 50mm. Both cameras are great! Cheers

How did u remove the logo so seamlessly ?

V good video, plz advice me any best second hand photo camera for video under 300 US$. Plz reply.

How is the AF compared to sony ?

better than X100V judging by jpgs …. doesn’t seem it could be possible… but it is

Man, I just wish it was weather sealed. All I want is a 50mm x100v. What’s the point of that lens being weather sealed, when the body isn’t.

yeah itsa great camera....sad thing is none of them are in stock anywhere

Have been thinking about this exact setup (or X-T4) versus the GR III/IIIx

The fugi app is terrible. I’m a Sony shooter primarily. Just sold the a7iii because the a7iv is such a major upgrade going back to the iii feels like a dinosaur.

How was this camera underrated when you could never buy it in the first place? This was even worse than the X100v because they never restocked it. People say that you could buy it in the first 3-4 months only. I remember backordering one for it to be discontinued 5 months later and had to go for the X-T30II.

too bad this camera isn't underrated at all...i am still struggling to find a used unit below the official retail price, this camera is 3 years old ffs

XE4 may be good but cant compare to Q2 - apples and oranges.

X Trans sensor is not for me because I don't like the results in Lightroom. It looks better on different software although I was never a fan of Fuji colours. Comparing Fuji with Leica is a bit of a stretch I guess!

PS. Your JPG sky colours look very cyan. Are you shooting in the horrible limited colour gamut default sRGB web colour space instead of full range Adobe RGB? That is the first thing to change in the menus when you buy ANY new camera!

What a joke. Side by side comparison of a Q shows the Quality is not there for this camera. Using the Leica to boost your likes and channels is clickbait and you got me

You get what you pay for with the XE4. It is a fun camera to use and can produce amazing images. However, it feels very much like a toy. It is very light and plasticky. The buttons are stiff and have no travel and the EVF is just terrible. If it's priced the same as X100V and have the same build quality, this camera would be a homerun.

LOL just no... Leica have a sublime color rendition and built quality that Fuji can't even get close too. Having owned all the latest Fuji, while they are excellent, they are nowhere near what Leica offers.

What are the camera and lens filming for this video? Very much appreciate your feedback.

Comparing to xt3, which one is better?